Former Miss India, Nikita Anand, is all set for her upcoming film 4 2 Ka 1 opposite Jimmy Shergill. She’s previously been an anchor and a model – she’s walked for several designers, including Satya Paul in London – but has now shifted her focus to Bollywood. We caught up with her recently to find out more about her film, her background as a model, and her favourite Bollywood actors!
Team MissMalini: Tell us about the character in your upcoming movie, 4 2 Ka 1
Nikita Anand: My character in 4 2 ka 1 is called Pooja. She’s a spoilt brat and from a well to do family, she’s easy going but can’t tolerate dishonesty. The film revolves around her relationship between the 2 most important men in her life – her father and Jimmy, who she falls in love with.
Team MissMalini: Your earlier film, Dil Dosti Etc was youth-oriented. 4 2 Ka 1, on the other hand, looks like a comedy. How different was it doing this role?
Nikita Anand: The characters in both films are different from each other. The story line and situations which drives the characters to react to their surroundings is different, so playing both characters was a different experience.
Team MissMalini: Interesting title, 4 2 Ka 1. What do you think was the reasoning behind it? What’s the movie about?
Nikita Anand: The film is a romantic comedy. Jimmy and me have a romantic angle in this film and Rajpal Yadav – who plays Jimmy’s friend – provides the comic angle. Therefore, in keeping with the comic plot, the film got its name of Four Two Ka One.
Team MissMalini: With someone like Rajpal Yadav on sets, there has to have been some funny moments. Tell us something funny that happened while shooting!
Nikita Anand: There were loads of funny moments when Rajpal was on set. And he didn’t even have to do anything in particular. He had all of us on set cracking up – that too with a straight face! Specially during one of the bhang songs we shot for.
Team MissMalini: How different is modeling from acting?
Nikita Anand: I get to involve more of my personality while acting. Acting is more engaging, I get to play different characters. I can draw from my own experiences while enacting a character. Modeling, on the other hand, requires clothes/product to be the focus.
Team MissMalini: Has your work as a model/anchor helped in any way when it comes to acting?
Nikita Anand: My modeling experience has definitely helped me while performing. I have done loads of sports anchoring on TV before I did my first film. Since films are an extension of modeling/glamour industry, I had more confidence when i did my first film, than I would have, had I not had prior modeling experience.
Team MissMalini: Who are your favorite Bollywood stars?
Nikita Anand: I’m fond of Rani Mukherjee and Ranbir Kapoor. Both are great actors.
Team MissMalini: Name one movie you wish you had starred in.
Nikita Anand: Dil To Pagal Hai – its my all time favourite film that I can watch any number of times.
Team MissMalini: What is the most common question the press asks you?
Nikita Anand: Most commonly asked question is how was it winning the Miss India title.
Team MissMalini: …Now answer it!
Nikita Anand: Winning the Miss India title is an unmatched and unparalled feeling and the best experience of my life.
Team MissMalini: What’s your favorite Bollywood song of all time?
Nikita Anand: I love old Hindi film songs.. My fav is Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh..
Team MissMalini: what did you want to be when you were a kid?
Nikita Anand: Having been very good in science – Biology and Chemistry.. I always thought I’d follow my father’s footsteps and become a doctor..